A’s batters hit their stride, edge Boston

SLUGFESTKurt Suzuki hit two homers, while Jack Cust and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit home runs on consecutive pitches in the eighth as the Athletics grabbed the win

AP , BOSTON

Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees slides in to steal third base against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning of their American League game in New York on Thursday.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Kurt Suzuki hit two of Oakland’s four homers as the Athletics showed unusual power in overcoming Boston’s 18-hit attack and winning 9-8 in the American League on Thursday.

The A’s entered the game with the third-fewest in the Majors, but hit more than two in a game for the first time this season.

Suzuki homered in his first two at bats against Tim Wakefield (1-4), a solo shot in the second inning and a two-run homer in the fourth. Then, with Oakland leading 7-5 in the eighth inning, Jack Cust and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit homers on consecutive pitches.

Bill Hall’s solo homer in the ninth pulled the Red Sox within a run, but A’s closer Andrew Bailey got the last two outs for his 12th save.

Yankees 6, Orioles 3

In New York, Alex Rodriguez homered to help New York inflict hapless Baltimore’s eighth straight loss.

Brett Gardner also homered and Robinson Cano had an RBI double off Kevin Millwood (0-6) as the Yankees won their fifth consecutive game, all against divisional last-place teams.

New York starter C.C. Sabathia (5-3) won for the first time in a month, allowing three hits and striking out seven over seven innings, improving to 12-1 against the Orioles by beating them for the third time this season.

Luke Scott hit a two-run homer and Adam Jones also connected for the Orioles.

The Tigers quickly bounced back from the disappointment of Wednesday, when a blown umpiring call cost pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.

Detroit reliever Brad Thomas (2-0) retired two in the sixth inning for the win.

Cleveland’s Hector Abriz (0-1) gave up a run on two hits in an inning to take the loss.

Thursday’s other results:

• Mariners 4, Twins 1

• White Sox 4, Rangers 3

• Angels 5, Royals 4

AP, LOS ANGELES

Kris Medlen took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning and doubled home a run as the Atlanta Braves held on for a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, notching a ninth straight win.

Troy Glaus homered for the fourth time in five games as Atlanta brought up their longest winning streak in 10 years.

Medlen (3-1) was charged with two earned runs in a career-high seven-and-a-third innings, walking none in his ninth big league start.

Atlanta closer Takashi Saito — pitching against his old side — retired the first two batters in the ninth inning, before injuring a hamstring. Jonny Venters came on and struck out Russell Martin with his first pitch for his first Major League save.

Los Angeles’ Hiroki Kuroda (5-4) was the loser.

Astros 6, Nationals 4

In Houston, Texas, Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning for Houston after the Astros tied it on an error by Washington’s Cristian Guzman.

Michael Bourn started the comeback with a double to center. After a ground-out, Lance Berkman drove a sinking-liner that dropped at Guzman’s feet and bounced away.

Lee then drove an pitch from Matt Capps (0-3) into the left-field porch for his second two-run, game-ending homer of the season and the Astros’ second win in their last at-bat in three days.

Guzman had given the Nationals a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth off Astros closer Matt Lindstrom (1-2).